10/26/2023
ANTIGUA NEWSLETTER
Just some updates, about our recent invasive algae.
As you know, it’s called Caulerpa Prolifera. It’s a plant that is sold to be used in saltwater aquariums. Parts of it are also used in the manufacture of some filters used in saltwater aquariums.
It has been deemed an invasive species in California and is currently illegal to possess, transport, sell, use, etc.
It multiplies by having pieces (even very tiny pieces) break off of the main plant and land on the seafloor and then begin to grow. That is the reason they don’t want boats moving above it as well as divers, (hull cleaners) disturbing the water and causing it to spread. We have been told:
It does not come from freshwater.
It doesn't travel down freshwater rivers.
It doesn't attach to docks or structures.
It’s not spread by boat hulls coming into the area.
It grows in soil.
It was first discovered during an ell grass survey. This survey was required, as well as several other conditions, in order to get the permit to install the new docks.
The three areas identified on the eastside have been treated. During that time they found two additional areas that were very small and treated them also.
Treating this plant consists of covering it with black plastic and sandbags to starve it from any sunlight. The plastic is monitored for several months. This is the same way they dealt with this material in Newport. They indicate that after a few months of the plastic being down, we can probably have the boats return. They will return in 6 to 10 months to remove the plastic and sand bags.
Since then, they have discovered a lot more areas along the northside of Antigua. These are very large and of course will require treatment. The Port agreed to pay for the first treatment and additional surveys. However, they did reserve the right to bill back the leaseholders in the future.
The first treatment cost approximately 50 thousand dollars for the three small areas. Estimates for the north portion are around 300K. Currently several agencies are working on funding. It is hoped that someone (Cities, Port, etc.) will declare an emergency, which will free up emergency funds from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, so that it can all be treated. Group of multiple agencies (Federal, state, local, environmental) meet every week to assess progress.
This plant grows best in the summer months with sunshine and warm waters. We are now entering a few months where it stops or at least grows minimally. That is the perfect time to get it treated. We’ll keep you informed. Hopefully this passes quickly.
DINGHY DOCKS. The other requirement of obtaining this permit is a “shade study”. It is not permitted to shade the bay with additional structures unless you unshade the bay somewhere else. Any additional docks, structure, floats that are bolted to a dock are considered an addition and would require unshading. If that item is within the owner's designated wharfage area, it would seem to be ok. All others are strictly not permitted.
There is no “grandfathering”. And yes, some people have permission from the HOA, but at this point, that doesn’t matter. The HOA can’t make state and federal law. Approval for rigidly-attached or bolted-on dinghy docks has been removed from the CCHOA's list of activities.
This was the response from Robert Mooney PhD. who handles our permitting process:
The vessel docks present within the Coronado Cays are considered permitted if they were part of the original permitted construction or if they were permitted through subsequent construction or maintenance. The permitted structures would have to be on file with the City of Coronado and since we are dealing with Waters of the U.S. they should be filed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Typically, the permitted structures are the dock floats themselves and do not include any allowance for other structures to be attached to the docks. For instance, jet ski floats are not permitted structures unless the homeowner obtained a specific permit from the City and Army Corps. I think one could argue that a jet ski float could be tied up inside of a vessel slip in lieu of a vessel. But, if you attach an additional float to a dock, you would be covering more water than originally permitted and effectively extending the dock.
These conditions will apply to all docks, not only Antigua, within the Cays.
Any additional items rigidly attached to the dock will now need to be reported to the City of Coronado as well as the Army Corp. of Engineers. Owners will need to deal with those agencies to get permission. You will of course get notice from the CCHOA about any items that cannot remain unless you get permission from the City and Army Corp. of Engineers.
As for items that are tied up to cleats and not bolted. Not sure at this point. If it's within your deeded slip area it is fine. If it is on the backside of the dock, that is different. Having a dingy dock tied there for years will certainly constitute “shading the bay”. As this area is unassigned, it was understood by the regulators that no boats or structures would be placed there.
In fact, to replace the existing docks we are currently working on, we must make them the exact same size and no bigger or smaller. This is the same for all docks within the Cays.
Doing work on docks is getting very difficult. Even more so will be dealing with any piling that goes into the bay floor. This really points out the need to stay on top of any dock maintenance going forward.
I have attached the latest map of the areas surveyed as well as the discoveries to date.
I will have some updates as well as other subjects going on within our Village soon.
Dennis
Just some updates, about our recent invasive algae.
As you know, it’s called Caulerpa Prolifera. It’s a plant that is sold to be used in saltwater aquariums. Parts of it are also used in the manufacture of some filters used in saltwater aquariums.
It has been deemed an invasive species in California and is currently illegal to possess, transport, sell, use, etc.
It multiplies by having pieces (even very tiny pieces) break off of the main plant and land on the seafloor and then begin to grow. That is the reason they don’t want boats moving above it as well as divers, (hull cleaners) disturbing the water and causing it to spread. We have been told:
It does not come from freshwater.
It doesn't travel down freshwater rivers.
It doesn't attach to docks or structures.
It’s not spread by boat hulls coming into the area.
It grows in soil.
It was first discovered during an ell grass survey. This survey was required, as well as several other conditions, in order to get the permit to install the new docks.
The three areas identified on the eastside have been treated. During that time they found two additional areas that were very small and treated them also.
Treating this plant consists of covering it with black plastic and sandbags to starve it from any sunlight. The plastic is monitored for several months. This is the same way they dealt with this material in Newport. They indicate that after a few months of the plastic being down, we can probably have the boats return. They will return in 6 to 10 months to remove the plastic and sand bags.
Since then, they have discovered a lot more areas along the northside of Antigua. These are very large and of course will require treatment. The Port agreed to pay for the first treatment and additional surveys. However, they did reserve the right to bill back the leaseholders in the future.
The first treatment cost approximately 50 thousand dollars for the three small areas. Estimates for the north portion are around 300K. Currently several agencies are working on funding. It is hoped that someone (Cities, Port, etc.) will declare an emergency, which will free up emergency funds from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, so that it can all be treated. Group of multiple agencies (Federal, state, local, environmental) meet every week to assess progress.
This plant grows best in the summer months with sunshine and warm waters. We are now entering a few months where it stops or at least grows minimally. That is the perfect time to get it treated. We’ll keep you informed. Hopefully this passes quickly.
DINGHY DOCKS. The other requirement of obtaining this permit is a “shade study”. It is not permitted to shade the bay with additional structures unless you unshade the bay somewhere else. Any additional docks, structure, floats that are bolted to a dock are considered an addition and would require unshading. If that item is within the owner's designated wharfage area, it would seem to be ok. All others are strictly not permitted.
There is no “grandfathering”. And yes, some people have permission from the HOA, but at this point, that doesn’t matter. The HOA can’t make state and federal law. Approval for rigidly-attached or bolted-on dinghy docks has been removed from the CCHOA's list of activities.
This was the response from Robert Mooney PhD. who handles our permitting process:
The vessel docks present within the Coronado Cays are considered permitted if they were part of the original permitted construction or if they were permitted through subsequent construction or maintenance. The permitted structures would have to be on file with the City of Coronado and since we are dealing with Waters of the U.S. they should be filed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Typically, the permitted structures are the dock floats themselves and do not include any allowance for other structures to be attached to the docks. For instance, jet ski floats are not permitted structures unless the homeowner obtained a specific permit from the City and Army Corps. I think one could argue that a jet ski float could be tied up inside of a vessel slip in lieu of a vessel. But, if you attach an additional float to a dock, you would be covering more water than originally permitted and effectively extending the dock.
These conditions will apply to all docks, not only Antigua, within the Cays.
Any additional items rigidly attached to the dock will now need to be reported to the City of Coronado as well as the Army Corp. of Engineers. Owners will need to deal with those agencies to get permission. You will of course get notice from the CCHOA about any items that cannot remain unless you get permission from the City and Army Corp. of Engineers.
As for items that are tied up to cleats and not bolted. Not sure at this point. If it's within your deeded slip area it is fine. If it is on the backside of the dock, that is different. Having a dingy dock tied there for years will certainly constitute “shading the bay”. As this area is unassigned, it was understood by the regulators that no boats or structures would be placed there.
In fact, to replace the existing docks we are currently working on, we must make them the exact same size and no bigger or smaller. This is the same for all docks within the Cays.
Doing work on docks is getting very difficult. Even more so will be dealing with any piling that goes into the bay floor. This really points out the need to stay on top of any dock maintenance going forward.
I have attached the latest map of the areas surveyed as well as the discoveries to date.
I will have some updates as well as other subjects going on within our Village soon.
Dennis